Oil Prices Rise on Hopes for China Stimulus

by Jay Young | Investing, Oil & Gas, Tax Savings, Taxes, The Upside

American and Chinese flags on world map. Trade war concept

Newsletter No. 96

Good afternoon,

It is Thursday, December 26, 2024, and welcome to another edition of The Upside, the final one of 2024. Today, I bring you the latest updates on the oil and gas industry and what's happening at King. As Landman's Tommy Norris puts it, "We have a 120-year petroleum-based infrastructure. Our whole lives depend on it ... It's in everything: That road we came in on, the wheels on every car ever made, including yours. It's in tennis rackets and lipstick and refrigerators and antihistamines, pretty much anything plastic; your cell phone case, artificial heart valves..." This serves as a stark reminder of how deeply embedded oil and gas are in our daily lives. The media often focuses on the more dramatic aspects of the industry, but the real power of oil and gas lies in these everyday essentials. Check out the brief below to read my latest Forbes blog about the media's obsession with the oil and gas industry.

This Week's Headlines

Spreading Holiday Cheer: Favorite Memories & Traditions on The Jay Young Show
Blog: Why Is the Media So Focused on the Oil and Gas Industry?
Oil Prices Rise on Hopes for China Stimulus and Lower U.S. Stockpiles
Oil Spill in Russia's Black Sea Leads to Emergency
Virtual Reality is Changing How Oil and Gas Workers Train and Work
Vermilion Energy Buys Westbrick's Alberta Gas Assets for $745 Million

HAPPENING AT KING

Spreading Holiday Cheer: Favorite Memories & Traditions on The Jay Young Show

In this episode of The Jay Young Show, we reflect on our favorite Christmas memories and share the cherished traditions that make this season so special. From decking the halls to sipping cocoa, we discuss everything that brings the holiday spirit to life. We also take a moment to revisit some of our most memorable guests from the year—those conversations and moments that left a lasting impression. Tune in to celebrate the season with us, as we spread holiday cheer and remind you of all the magic this time of year holds. Watch on YouTube, Rumble, or directly on our website.

On the Next Episode

Join us next time as my co-host, Jordan Soto, and I will be sharing what happened in 2024, what we accomplished, a look ahead to 2025 and our goals for the upcoming year. You can watch it on YouTube, Rumble, or directly on our website.

Episodes you might have missed
Here are some recent episodes to watch:

Jehangir Raja, a Wall Street veteran, hedge fund manager, and successful entrepreneur. WATCH
Floyd McLendon, former U.S. Navy Seal, a published author, and a sought-after motivational speaker. WATCH
Jason Morgan, a U.S. Air Force veteran whose incredible story of overcoming adversity has touched the lives of many. WATCH

Blog: Why Is the Media So Focused on the Oil and Gas Industry?
In my latest Forbes blog, I explain why the media loves to cover the oil and gas industry, often making it seem more dramatic and dangerous than it really is. TV shows like Landman focus on exciting moments like big explosions and corporate drama, but they miss the quieter, everyday work that makes the industry run. I talk about how the media's focus on these dramatic scenes shapes how we think about oil—and why the real power of the oil business is in the behind-the-scenes decisions. Read the full blog here.

Oil & Gas News

Oil Prices Rise on Hopes for China Stimulus and Lower U.S. Stockpiles

Oil prices went up as traders were encouraged by news that China is launching a new plan to boost consumer spending. This could mean higher demand for oil. Brent crude hit $73.80 per barrel, and West Texas Intermediate rose to $70.32. A report showing U.S. oil supplies shrinking also helped push prices higher. You can see the up-to-the-minute commodities numbers here.

Oil Prices Rise on Hopes for China Stimulus and Lower U.S. Stockpiles

Virtual Reality is Changing How Oil and Gas Workers Train and Work

Big oil companies like Shell and ExxonMobil are using virtual reality (VR) to train workers in a safer and cheaper way. With VR, employees can practice working in risky environments like oil rigs and refineries without actually being there. It helps them understand their tasks, learn safety procedures, and plan projects more effectively. VR also helps create digital models of equipment, making it easier to spot problems and improve how everything works. This technology is making training and operations smarter and safer in the oil and gas industry.

Move to Watch

Vermilion Energy Buys Westbrick's Alberta Gas Assets for $745 Million
Vermilion Energy is buying gas production assets from Westbrick Energy in Alberta for about $745 million. The deal includes 700 drilling sites, four gas plants, and a large area of land. Vermilion hopes this purchase will help boost its production and cash flow, expecting a 15% increase in free cash flow per share in 2025. The company will pay for the acquisition using its available credit.

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Thank you for your continued support, and if you have any questions for myself or any member of the King team, please don't hesitate to reach out.

All the best,

Jay